Systems and methods for dynamically cleaning read/write head

ABSTRACT

A sequential storage media system may include a head for reading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controller communicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured to control winding of a tape comprising sequential storage media and cleaning media between reels of a cartridge comprising the tape in order to clean a head of a sequential storage media system by passing the cleaning media over the head, after cleaning the head of the sequential storage media system, monitor a bit error rate of input/output communication between the head and the sequential storage media, and repeat the cleaning and the monitoring steps responsive to the bit error rate exceeding a threshold.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to systems and methods for dynamicallycleaning read/write heads of magnetic storage media.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Sequential storage media, also known as tape media, may comprise a reelof a magnetic strip of material in which one or more magnetic heads areused to write data on the media and/or read data from the media. Insequential storage media, the read/write heads may require occasionalcleaning in order to remove accumulation of debris on the head.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, thedisadvantages and problems associated with cleaning read/write heads formagnetic storage media may be reduced or eliminated.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method mayinclude cleaning a head of a sequential storage media system by passingcleaning media of a cartridge over the head. The method may also includeafter cleaning the head of the sequential storage media system,monitoring a bit error rate of input/output communication between thehead and sequential storage media of the cartridge, and repeating thecleaning and the monitoring steps responsive to the bit error rateexceeding a threshold.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a sequential storage media system may include a head forreading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controllercommunicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured tocontrol winding of a tape comprising sequential storage media andcleaning media between reels of a cartridge comprising the tape in orderto clean a head of a sequential storage media system by passing thecleaning media over the head, after cleaning the head of the sequentialstorage media system, monitor a bit error rate of input/outputcommunication between the head and the sequential storage media, andrepeat the cleaning and the monitoring steps responsive to the bit errorrate exceeding a threshold.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and asequential storage media system communicatively coupled to theprocessor. The sequential storage media system may include a head forreading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controllercommunicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured tocontrol winding of a tape comprising sequential storage media andcleaning media between reels of a cartridge comprising the tape in orderto clean a head of a sequential storage media system by passing thecleaning media over the head, after cleaning the head of the sequentialstorage media system, monitor a bit error rate of input/outputcommunication between the head and the sequential storage media, andrepeat the cleaning and the monitoring steps responsive to the bit errorrate exceeding a threshold.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a method may include determining an occurrence of an eventindicative of a need to clean a head of a sequential storage mediasystem, issuing to a user an indication of the occurrence of the event,determining an amount of cleaning for the head based on a bit error rateof input/output communication associated with the head, and responsiveto receiving a cleaning cartridge in the sequential storage mediasystem, cleaning the head of the sequential storage media system inaccordance with the amount of cleaning by passing cleaning media of acartridge over the head.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, a sequential storage media system may include a head forreading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controllercommunicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured tocontrol winding of a tape comprising cleaning media between reels of acartridge comprising the tape in order to determine an occurrence of anevent indicative of a need to clean a head of a sequential storage mediasystem, issue to a user an indication of the occurrence of the event,determine an amount of cleaning for the head based on a bit error rateof input/output communication associated with the head, and responsiveto receiving a cleaning cartridge in the sequential storage mediasystem, clean the head of a sequential storage media system inaccordance with the amount of cleaning by passing cleaning media of acartridge over the head.

In accordance with these and other embodiments of the presentdisclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and asequential storage media system communicatively coupled to theprocessor. The sequential storage media system may include a head forreading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controllercommunicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured tocontrol winding of a tape comprising cleaning media between reels of acartridge comprising the tape in order to determine an occurrence of anevent indicative of a need to clean a head of a sequential storage mediasystem, issue to a user an indication of the occurrence of the event,determine an amount of cleaning for the head based on a bit error rateof input/output communication associated with the head, and responsiveto receiving a cleaning cartridge in the sequential storage mediasystem, clean the head of a sequential storage media system inaccordance with the amount of cleaning by passing cleaning media of acartridge over the head.

Technical advantages of the present disclosure may be readily apparentto one skilled in the art from the figures, description and claimsincluded herein. The objects and advantages of the embodiments will berealized and achieved at least by the elements, features, andcombinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are examples and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the claims set forth in this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of selected components of an exampleinformation handling system, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of selected components of an examplesequential storage media system, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example sequential storage media tape for use inthe example storage media system of FIG. 2, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head using the sequential storage media tapedepicted in FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example cleaning cartridge for use in the examplestorage media system of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example cleaning cartridge tape for use in theexample cleaning cartridge of FIG. 5, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head using the cleaning cartridge tape depicted inFIG. 6, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates another example cleaning cartridge tape for use inthe example cleaning cartridge of FIG. 5, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head using the cleaning cartridge tape depicted inFIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments and their advantages are best understood byreference to FIGS. 1 through 9, wherein like numbers are used toindicate like and corresponding parts.

For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system may be a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronic device, a network storagedevice, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape,performance, functionality, and price. The information handling systemmay include memory, one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (“CPU”) or hardware or software control logic.Additional components of the information handling system may include oneor more storage devices, one or more communications ports forcommunicating with external devices as well as various input/output(“I/O”) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. Theinformation handling system may also include one or more buses operableto transmit communication between the various hardware components.

For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may includeany instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retaindata and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable mediamay include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct accessstorage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequentialaccess storage device (e.g., a tape drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD,random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; aswell as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves,radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/orany combination of the foregoing.

For the purposes of this disclosure, information handling resources maybroadly refer to any component system, device or apparatus of aninformation handling system, including without limitation processors,service processors, basic input/output systems (BIOSs), buses, memories,I/O devices and/or interfaces, storage resources, network interfaces,motherboards, and/or any other components and/or elements of aninformation handling system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of selected components ofan example information handling system 102, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, informationhandling system 102 may be a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computeror a portable computer). In other embodiments, information handlingsystem 102 may comprise a storage server for archiving data.

As depicted in FIG. 1, information handling system 102 may include aprocessor 103, a memory 104 communicatively coupled to processor 103,and a storage resource 108 communicatively coupled to processor 103.

Processor 103 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tointerpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, andmay include, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller,digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpretand/or execute program instructions and/or process data. In someembodiments, processor 103 may interpret and/or execute programinstructions and/or process data stored in memory 104, storage resource108, and/or another component of information handling system 102.

Memory 104 may be communicatively coupled to processor 103 and mayinclude any system, device, or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia). Memory 104 may include random access memory (RAM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a PCMCIA card, flashmemory, magnetic storage, opto-magnetic storage, or any suitableselection and/or array of volatile or non-volatile memory that retainsdata after power to its associated information handling system 102 isturned off.

Storage resource 108 may include a system, device, or apparatusconfigured to store data. Storage resource 108 may include one or morehard disk drives, magnetic tape libraries, optical disk drives,magneto-optical disk drives, solid state storage drives, compact diskdrives, compact disk arrays, disk array controllers, and/or any othersystems, apparatuses or devices configured to store data. In certainembodiments, storage resource 108 may include one or more storageenclosures configured to hold and/or power one or more of such devices.In the embodiments represented by FIG. 1, storage resource 108 mayreside within information handling system 102. However, in otherembodiments, storage resource 108 may reside external to informationhandling system 102 (e.g., may be coupled to information handling system102 via a network).

In particular embodiments, storage resource 108 may comprise asequential storage media system. A sequential storage media system maycomprise any system, device, or apparatus for storing or recordinginformation on sequential storage media (e.g., magnetic tape). Suchsequential storage media may be packaged in cartridges or cassettes.

In addition to processor 103, memory 104, and storage resource 108,information handling system 102 may include one or more otherinformation handling resources. Such an information handling resourcemay include any component system, device or apparatus of an informationhandling system, including without limitation, a processor, bus, memory,I/O device and/or interface, storage resource (e.g., hard disk drives),network interface, electro-mechanical device (e.g., fan), display, powersupply, and/or any portion thereof. An information handling resource maycomprise any suitable package or form factor, including withoutlimitation an integrated circuit package or a printed circuit boardhaving mounted thereon one or more integrated circuits.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of selected components of an examplesequential storage media system 200, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Sequential storage media system 200 may be usedas, or as part of, storage resource 108 of information handling system102 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, sequential storage media system 200may comprise a removable data cartridge 201, one or more read/writeheads 206, a plurality of guides 208, and a controller 218.

As shown in FIG. 2, data cartridge 201 may include two reels 202 forcarrying sequential storage media tape 204. Each reel 202 may compriseany suitable system, device, or apparatus for carrying sequentialstorage media tape 204, and winding sequential storage media tape 204between reels 202. Accordingly, one or both of reels 202 may include orbe configured to couple to mechanical parts (e.g., motors or other drivesystem controlled by controller 218) for driving one or both reels 202in a rotational manner in order to wind sequential storage media tape204 from one reel to another.

Turning briefly to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates an example sequentialstorage media tape 204 for use in example data cartridge 201, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.3, sequential storage media tape 204 may predominantly includesequential storage media 304 and a small portion of cleaning media 306.For example, in some embodiments, cleaning media 306 may comprise nomore than five or ten percent of sequential storage media tape 204.

Sequential storage media 304 may comprise a strip of magnetic materialfor magnetic recording. For example, sequential storage media 304 maycomprise a long, narrow strip of plastic film which is coated on atleast one side with a thin magnetizable coating. If coated on both sideswith magnetizable coating, such sequential storage media 304 may supportrecording separate data on each side of the plastic film, and thus mayfunction as dual-sided sequential storage media.

Cleaning media 306 may include abrasive material and/or other materialfor cleaning a read/write head 206. Cleaning media 306 and sequentialstorage media 304 may be formed on the same piece of sequential storagemedia tape 204. In some embodiments, cleaning media 306 may be formed onthe same strip of plastic film used for sequential storage media 304,with the exception that instead of including magnetizable coating, theportion of the strip of plastic film for cleaning media 306 may becoated with the abrasive and/or other material for cleaning a read/writehead 206. In other embodiments, sequential storage media 304 andcleaning media 306 may be formed on different strips of material coupledto one another in any suitable fashion (e.g., via an adhesive).Sequential storage media 304 and cleaning media 306 may respectively beformed on any suitable portions of sequential storage media tape 204. Insome embodiments, cleaning media 306 may be formed on one or both endsof sequential storage media tape 204 (e.g., more proximate to theattachment points of sequential storage media tape 204 to reels 202 thanthat of sequential storage media 304).

Turning again to FIG. 2, as sequential storage media tape 204 istranslated between reels 202, continuous portions of sequential storagemedia tape 204 may come in contact with one or more heads 206. A head206 may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to readdata from and/or write data to sequential storage media 304 ofsequential storage media tape 204 as continuous portions of sequentialstorage media 304 pass over such head 206 by modifying the magnetizationof such sequential storage media 304 in accordance with the informationto be written. In some embodiments, a head 206 may comprise a read/writehead which is also capable of reading data from sequential storage media304 by detecting the magnetization of sequential storage media 304.

In addition, as sequential storage media tape 204 is translated betweenreels 202, continuous portions of cleaning media 306 of sequentialstorage media tape 204 may come in contact with a head 206, cleaningsuch head 206 by removing debris from the head 206 as such portions ofcleaning media 306 pass over such head 206.

In order to guide sequential storage media tape 204 to contact with ahead 206 as it is wound between reels 202, sequential storage mediasystem 200 may include guides 208. One or more of guides 208 may becapable of rotation about an axis (e.g., wherein such axis isperpendicular to the view shown in FIG. 2) such that guides 208 mayrotate as sequential storage media tape 204 passes over them, thusfacilitating the winding of sequential storage media tape 204 as itpasses over a head 206.

Controller 218 may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configuredto control the communication of I/O data between a processor (e.g.,processor 103) and sequential storage media tape 204 via heads 206, andthus may be communicatively coupled to heads 206. Controller 218 mayinclude, without limitation, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digitalsignal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/orexecute program instructions and/or process data. In some embodiments,controller 218 may interpret and/or execute program instructionsembodied in firmware 222 stored on computer-readable media integral toor otherwise accessible to controller 218 in order to carry outfunctionality of controller 218.

Firmware 222 may include a program of executable instructions stored oncomputer-readable media integral or accessible to controller 218 whichis readable and executable by controller 218 to carry out thefunctionality of controller 218. For example, firmware 222 may controlthe communication of I/O data between a processor (e.g., processor 103)and sequential storage media tape 204 via heads 206. As another example,firmware 222 may control dynamic cleaning operations for disk cartridge201 and/or a cleaning cartridge, as described in greater detail belowwith respect to methods 400, 700, and 900.

Although sequential storage media system 200 is shown in FIG. 2 asincluding two heads 206, in some embodiments, sequential storage mediasystem 200 may include one head 206 or more than two heads 206.

Although disk cartridge 201 is shown as having two reels 202 integralthereto, in some embodiments, a disk cartridge 201 may include only onereel 202. In such embodiments, a second reel 202 (e.g. a “take-up” reelmay be part of sequential storage media system 200).

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 400 for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head 206 using sequential storage media tape 204,in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. According tosome embodiments, method 400 may begin at step 402. As noted above,teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety ofconfigurations of information handling system 102. As such, thepreferred initialization point for method 400 and the order of the stepscomprising method 400 may depend on the implementation chosen.

At step 402, controller 218 may determine an event has occurredindicative of a need to clean one or more heads 206. In someembodiments, such event may be a passage of a periodic interval of time(e.g., predetermined intervals of a number of days), wherein suchpassage of time indicates that one or more heads 206 should be cleaned.In these and other embodiments, such event may include a determinationby controller 218 that a bit error rate of writes to or reads from ahead 206 to or from sequential storage media 304 of data cartridge 201is above a predetermined threshold.

At step 404, controller 218 may determine an amount of cleaning. In someembodiments, such amount of cleaning may be based on a bit error rate ofwrites or reads between one or more heads 206 and sequential storagemedia 304 (e.g., such that a larger amount of cleaning is applied forhigher bit error rates, and a smaller amount of cleaning is applied forlower bit error rates). In these and other embodiments, such amount ofcleaning may be defined by an amount of time that a portion of cleaningmedia 306 is to be passed over one or more heads 206 to undergocleaning. In other embodiments, such amount of cleaning may be definedby a number of times a portion of cleaning media 306 is to be passedover one or more heads 206 to undergo cleaning.

At step 406, controller 218 may cause one or more heads 206 to becleaned by causing cleaning media 306 to pass over the one or more heads206 in accordance with the determined amount of cleaning. After suchamount of cleaning is applied, method 400 may proceed to step 408.

At step 408, controller 218 may monitor the post-cleaning bit error rateof reads to and/or writes between the one or more heads 206 andsequential storage media 304. In some embodiments, such monitoring maybe implemented by a test procedure in which controller 218 causes one ormore heads to write a predetermined pattern to sequential storage media304 and read back the predetermined pattern from sequential storagemedia 304 in order to determine the bit error rate. In otherembodiments, such monitoring may be implemented by monitoring actualinput/output operations occurring to and from sequential storage media304 (e.g., between processor 103 and sequential storage media 304).

At step 410, controller 218 may determine whether the post-cleaning biterror rate is lower than a predetermined threshold. Such predeterminedthreshold may be the same as or different from the predeterminedthreshold applied at step 402. If the post-cleaning bit error rate islower than the predetermined threshold, method 400 may proceed to step412. Otherwise, method 400 may proceed again to step 404, and steps404-410 may repeat until such time as the post-cleaning bit error ratefalls below the predetermined threshold.

At step 412, operation of sequential storage media system 200 may returnto its normal operation. After step 412, method 400 may end, subject tomethod 400 being applied again at a later time should another eventoccur as described with respect to step 402.

Although FIG. 4 discloses a particular number of steps to be taken withrespect to method 400, method 400 may be executed with greater or fewersteps than those depicted in FIG. 4. In addition, although FIG. 4discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method400, the steps comprising method 400 may be completed in any suitableorder.

Method 400 may be implemented using information handling system 102 orany other system operable to implement method 400. In certainembodiments, method 400 may be implemented partially or fully insoftware and/or firmware (e.g., firmware 222) embodied incomputer-readable media.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example cleaning cartridge 501 for use in examplestorage media system 200, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As described above, data cartridge 201 may be removable.After a removal of data cartridge 201, a data cartridge similar to ordifferent from data cartridge 201 may be inserted in its place, or acleaning cartridge similar to or different from cleaning cartridge 501may be inserted. Cleaning cartridge 501 may be similar in many respectsto a data cartridge 201, and accordingly, only the main differencesbetween cleaning cartridge 501 and data cartridge 201 may be describedbelow.

As shown in FIG. 5, cleaning cartridge 501 may include two reels 502 forcarrying cleaning tape 504. Each reel 502 may comprise any suitablesystem, device, or apparatus for carrying cleaning tape 504, and windingcleaning tape 504 between reels 502. In some embodiments, reels 502 maybe similar or identical to reels 202 of data cartridge 201.

Turning briefly to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates an example cleaningcartridge tape 504 for use in example cleaning cartridge 501, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.6, cleaning cartridge tape 504 may predominantly include cleaning media606 and a small portion of storage media 604. For example, in someembodiments, storage media 604 may comprise no more than five or tenpercent of cleaning cartridge tape 504.

Similar to sequential storage media 304, storage media 604 may comprisea strip of magnetic material for magnetic recording. For example,sequential storage media 604 may comprise a long, narrow strip ofplastic film which is coated on at least one side with a thinmagnetizable coating.

Similar to cleaning media 306, cleaning media 606 may include abrasivematerial and/or other material for cleaning a read/write head 206.Cleaning media 606 and storage media 604 may be formed on the same pieceof cleaning cartridge tape 504. In some embodiments, cleaning media 606may be formed on the same strip of plastic film used for storage media604, with the exception that instead of including magnetizable coating,the portion of the strip of plastic film for cleaning media 606 may becoated with the abrasive and/or other material for cleaning a read/writehead 206. In other embodiments, storage media 604 and cleaning media 606may be formed on different strips of material coupled to one another inany suitable fashion (e.g., via an adhesive). Storage media 604 andcleaning media 606 may respectively be formed on any suitable portionsof cleaning cartridge tape 504. In some embodiments, storage media 604may be formed on one or both ends of cleaning cartridge tape 504 (e.g.,more proximate to the attachment points of cleaning cartridge tape 504to reels 502 than that of sequential cleaning media 606).

Turning again to FIG. 5, as cleaning cartridge tape 504 is translatedbetween reels 502, continuous portions of cleaning media 606 of cleaningcartridge tape 504 may come in contact with a head 206, cleaning suchhead 206 by removing debris from the head 206 as such portions ofcleaning media 606 pass over such head 206.

In addition, as cleaning cartridge tape 504 is translated between reels502, continuous portions of storage media 604 may come in contact withone or more heads 206, thus allowing the one or more heads 206 to writedata to or read data from storage media 604.

Although cleaning cartridge 501 is shown as having two reels 502integral thereto, in some embodiments, a cleaning cartridge 501 mayinclude only one reel 502. In such embodiments, a second reel 502 (e.g.a “take-up” reel may be part of sequential storage media system 200).

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 700 for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head using cleaning cartridge 501 with cleaningcartridge tape 504, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. According to some embodiments, method 700 may begin at step702. As noted above, teachings of the present disclosure may beimplemented in a variety of configurations of information handlingsystem 102. As such, the preferred initialization point for method 700and the order of the steps comprising method 700 may depend on theimplementation chosen.

At step 702, with a data cartridge inserted in sequential storage mediasystem 200, controller 218 may determine an event has occurredindicative of a need to clean one or more heads 206 and communicate theoccurrence of such event to a user of information handling system 102.As an example, such data cartridge may include a “traditional” datacartridge which is similar to data cartridge 201, except that thesequential storage media tape 204 thereof includes sequential storagemedia 304, but no cleaning media 306. In some embodiments, the event maybe a passage of a periodic interval of time (e.g., predeterminedintervals of a number of days), wherein such passage of time indicatesthat one or more heads 206 should be cleaned. In these and otherembodiments, such event may include a determination by controller 218that a bit error rate of writes to or reads from a head 206 to or fromsequential storage media of the data cartridge is above a predeterminedthreshold.

At step 703, the user may, in response to the event, remove the datacartridge from sequential storage media system 200 and replace it withcleaning cartridge 501 in order to clean one or more heads 206.

At step 704, controller 218 may determine an amount of cleaning. In someembodiments, such amount of cleaning may be based on a bit error rate ofwrites or reads between one or more heads 206 and sequential storagemedia of the data cartridge that was removed at step 703 (e.g., suchthat a larger amount of cleaning is applied for higher bit error rates,and a smaller amount of cleaning is applied for lower bit error rates).In these and other embodiments, such amount of cleaning may be definedby an amount of time that a portion of cleaning media 606 is to bepassed over one or more heads 206 to undergo cleaning. In otherembodiments, such amount of cleaning may be defined by a number of timesa portion of cleaning media 606 is to be passed over one or more heads206 to undergo cleaning.

At step 706, controller 218 may cause one or more heads 206 to becleaned by causing cleaning media 606 to pass over the one or more heads206 in accordance with the determined amount of cleaning. After suchamount of cleaning is applied, method 700 may proceed to step 708.

At step 708, controller 218 may cause heads 206 to write a predeterminedtest pattern to sequential storage media 604 and read back thepredetermined test pattern from sequential storage media 604 in order todetermine a post-cleaning bit error rate.

At step 710, controller 218 may determine whether the post-cleaning biterror rate is lower than a predetermined threshold. Such predeterminedthreshold may be the same as or different from the predeterminedthreshold applied at step 702. If the post-cleaning bit error rate islower than the predetermined threshold, method 700 may proceed to step712. Otherwise, method 700 may proceed again to step 704, and steps704-710 may repeat until such time as the post-cleaning bit error ratefalls below the predetermined threshold.

At step 712, controller 218 may communicate to the user an alert orother indication that the cleaning process has completed, to which theuser may respond by returning the same data cartridge or a new datacartridge to sequential storage media system 200, after which sequentialstorage media system 200 may return to its normal operation. After step712, method 700 may end, subject to method 700 being applied again at alater time should another event occur as described with respect to step702.

Although FIG. 7 discloses a particular number of steps to be taken withrespect to method 700, method 700 may be executed with greater or fewersteps than those depicted in FIG. 7. In addition, although FIG. 7discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method700, the steps comprising method 700 may be completed in any suitableorder.

Method 700 may be implemented using information handling system 102 orany other system operable to implement method 700. In certainembodiments, method 700 may be implemented partially or fully insoftware and/or firmware (e.g., firmware 222) embodied incomputer-readable media.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example cleaning cartridge tape 504A for usein example cleaning cartridge 501 (e.g., in lieu of cleaning cartridgetape 504), in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Cleaning cartridge tape 504A may be similar in many respects to cleaningcartridge tape 504, and accordingly, only the main differences betweencleaning cartridge tape 504A and cleaning cartridge tape 504 may bedescribed below. As shown in FIG. 8, cleaning cartridge tape 504A maypredominantly include cleaning media 806 but no storage media as withcleaning cartridge tape 504. Thus, a cleaning cartridge 501 withcleaning cartridge tape 504A having only cleaning media 806 but nostorage media may in fact comprise a traditional cleaning cartridge.Similar to cleaning media 306 and cleaning media 606, cleaning media 806may include abrasive material and/or other material for cleaning aread/write head 206.

As cleaning cartridge tape 504A is translated between reels 502,continuous portions of cleaning media 806 of cleaning tape 504A may comein contact with a head 206, cleaning such head 206 by removing debrisfrom the head 206 as such portions of cleaning media 806 pass over suchhead 206.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 900 for dynamicallycleaning a read/write head 206 using cleaning cartridge tape 504A, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. According to someembodiments, method 900 may begin at step 902. As noted above, teachingsof the present disclosure may be implemented in a variety ofconfigurations of information handling system 102. As such, thepreferred initialization point for method 900 and the order of the stepscomprising method 900 may depend on the implementation chosen.

At step 902, with a data cartridge inserted in sequential storage mediasystem 200, controller 218 may determine an event has occurredindicative of a need to clean one or more heads 206 and communicate theoccurrence of such event to a user of information handling system 102.As an example, such data cartridge may include a “traditional” datacartridge which is similar to data cartridge 201, except that thesequential storage media tape 204 thereof includes sequential storagemedia 304, but no cleaning media 306. In some embodiments, the event maybe a passage of a periodic interval of time (e.g., predeterminedintervals of a number of days), wherein such passage of time indicatesthat one or more heads 206 should be cleaned. In these and otherembodiments, such event may include a determination by controller 218that a bit error rate of writes to or reads from a head 206 to or fromsequential storage media of the data cartridge is above a predeterminedthreshold.

At step 903, the user may, in response to the event, remove the datacartridge from sequential storage media system 200 and replace it withcleaning cartridge 501 (having cleaning cartridge tape 504A) in order toclean one or more heads 206.

At step 904, controller 218 may determine an amount of cleaning. In someembodiments, such amount of cleaning may be based on a bit error rate ofwrites or reads between one or more heads 206 and sequential storagemedia of the data cartridge that was removed at step 903 (e.g., suchthat a larger amount of cleaning is applied for higher bit error rates,and a smaller amount of cleaning is applied for lower bit error rates).In these and other embodiments, such amount of cleaning may be definedby an amount of time that a portion of cleaning media 806 is to bepassed over one or more heads 206 to undergo cleaning. In otherembodiments, such amount of cleaning may be defined by a number of timesa portion of cleaning media 806 is to be passed over one or more heads206 to undergo cleaning.

At step 906, controller 218 may cause one or more heads 206 to becleaned by causing cleaning media 806 to pass over the one or more heads206 in accordance with the determined amount of cleaning. After suchamount of cleaning is applied, method 900 may proceed to step 912.

At step 912, controller 218 may communicate to the user an alert orother indication that the cleaning process has completed, to which theuser may respond by returning the same data cartridge or a new datacartridge to sequential storage media system 200, after which sequentialstorage media system 200 may return to its normal operation. After step912, method 900 may end, subject to method 900 being applied again at alater time should another event occur as described with respect to step902.

Although FIG. 9 discloses a particular number of steps to be taken withrespect to method 900, method 900 may be executed with greater or fewersteps than those depicted in FIG. 9. In addition, although FIG. 9discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method900, the steps comprising method 900 may be completed in any suitableorder.

Method 900 may be implemented using information handling system 102 orany other system operable to implement method 900. In certainembodiments, method 900 may be implemented partially or fully insoftware and/or firmware (e.g., firmware 222) embodied incomputer-readable media.

As used herein, when two or more elements are referred to as “coupled”to one another, such term indicates that such two or more elements arein electronic communication or mechanical communication, as applicable,whether connected indirectly or directly, with or without interveningelements.

This disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations,alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that aperson having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly,where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exampleembodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art wouldcomprehend. Moreover, reference in the appended claims to an apparatusor system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to,arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, oroperative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus,system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function isactivated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, orcomponent is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled,operable, or operative.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the disclosureand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare construed as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosurehave been described in detail, it should be understood that variouschanges, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: performing input/outputmaintenance operations, including: monitoring a bit error rate ofinput/output communication with a read/write head of a sequentialstorage system; performing a cleaning operation, comprising: determiningin accordance with the bit error rate an extent of cleaning; and passinga cleaning media portion of a sequential storage tape across theread/write head in accordance with the extent of cleaning; and repeatingthe cleaning operation responsive to detecting no improvement of the biterror rate.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential storagetape comprises a single tape extending between two reels of a sequentialstorage cartridge and wherein the sequential storage tape includes, inaddition to the cleaning media portion, a storage media portion.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the cleaning media portion comprises no morethan ten percent of the sequential storage tape.
 4. The method of claim2, wherein the storage media portion comprises no more than ten percentof the sequential storage tape.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining the extent of cleaning comprising: determining a duration ofthe cleaning operation in accordance with the bit error rate.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining the extent of cleaning comprisesdetermining a value indicative of a number of iterations to perform andwherein performing the cleaning operation comprises performing aplurality of iterations of the cleaning operation in accordance with thenumber of iterations indicated by the value.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: executing input/output operations causing one ormore read/write heads to: write a predetermined pattern to thesequential storage tape; and read back the predetermined pattern fromthe sequential storage tape to determine the bit error rate.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining an occurrence of anevent; and performing the input/output maintenance operation responsiveto the occurrence of the event.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theevent is a passage of a periodic interval of time.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the event is detecting the bit error rate above athreshold.
 11. A sequential storage system comprising: a read/write headfor reading or writing data to sequential storage media; and acontroller communicatively coupled to the read/write head, thecontroller configured to control winding of a sequential storage tapecomprising a sequential storage portion and a cleaning media portionbetween reels of a cartridge comprising the sequential storage tape inorder to perform input/output maintenance operations, including:monitoring a bit error rate of input/output communication with aread/write head of a sequential storage system; performing a cleaningoperation, comprising: determining in accordance with the bit error ratean extent of cleaning; and passing a cleaning media portion of asequential storage tape across the read/write head in accordance withthe extent of cleaning; and repeating the cleaning operation responsiveto detecting no improvement of the bit error rate after performing thecleaning operation.
 12. The sequential storage system of claim 11,wherein the sequential storage tape comprises a cleaning media portionand a storage media portion formed on a single tape between two reels ofa sequential storage cartridge.
 13. The sequential storage system ofclaim 12, wherein the cleaning media portion comprises no more than tenpercent of the sequential storage tape.
 14. The sequential storagesystem of claim 12, wherein the storage media portion comprises no morethan ten percent of the sequential storage tape.
 15. The sequentialstorage system of claim 11, wherein determining the extent of cleaningcomprising determining a duration of the cleaning operation inaccordance with the bit error rate.
 16. The sequential storage system ofclaim 11, wherein determining the extent of cleaning comprisesdetermining a value indicative of a number of iterations to perform andwherein performing the cleaning operation comprises performing aplurality of iterations of the cleaning operation in accordance with thenumber of iterations indicated by the value.
 17. The sequential storagesystem of claim 11, wherein the input/output maintenance operationsinclude: executing input/output operations causing one or moreread/write heads to: write a predetermined pattern to the sequentialstorage tape; and read back the predetermined pattern from thesequential storage tape to determine the bit error rate.
 18. Thesequential storage media system of claim 11, wherein the event is apassage of a periodic interval of time further comprising: determiningan occurrence of an event; and performing the input/output maintenanceoperation responsive to the occurrence of the event.
 19. The sequentialstorage system of claim 18, wherein the event selected from a group ofevents consisting of: a passage of a periodic interval of time; anddetecting a bit error rate above a threshold.
 20. An informationhandling system comprising: a processor; and a sequential storagesystem, communicatively coupled to the processor, comprising: a head forreading or writing data to sequential storage media; and a controllercommunicatively coupled to the read/write head, the controllerconfigured to control winding of a tape comprising sequential storagemedia and cleaning media between reels of a cartridge comprising thetape in order to perform input/output maintenance operations, including:monitoring a bit error rate of input/output communication with aread/write head of a sequential storage system; performing a cleaningoperation, comprising: determining in accordance with the bit error ratean extent of cleaning; and passing a cleaning media portion of asequential storage tape across the read/write head in accordance withthe extent of cleaning; and repeating the cleaning operation responsiveto detecting no improvement of the bit error rate after performing thecleaning operation.